Enphase Energy, known for its micro-inverter-based solar energy storage systems (ESSs), will be launched the all new IQ Battery 5P in Summer 2023. The battery has been in the making for over 3 years and is rumored to disrupt the home storage market. We take a deep dive into what we know so far and what you should expect in the near future.
The Enphase IQ Battery 5P is an all-in-one AC-coupled battery ESS that provides twice the continuous power and thrice the peak power compared to its predecessors. The latest model is a top-notch addition to the brand’s high-performing portfolio of home solar energy storage systems.
We look closely at the IQ Battery 5P to see if it delivers on its promise before it goes into commercial production this June. While the price for the 5kW home ESS is yet to be revealed, read this review if you’re considering investing in it.
Enphase IQ Battery 5P: At a Glance
The latest addition to Enphase Energy’s home ESS is a fully-integrated solution for homeowners looking to supplement their solar arrangement and optimize power consumption. It stores power generated by the solar array for future and unforeseen use.
The IQ Battery 5P provides the following:
- Backup power during an outage or grid failure
- Electricity for self-consumption if the solar array is not generating power
- Storage arbitrage for grid-tied users on Time-of-Use (ToU) plans
In short, this home ESS helps homeowners future-proof all their energy needs.
With a 5kW capacity, the IQ 5P has six embedded IQD8-BAT microinverters. Together, they provide 3.84kVA of continuous power supply. This means that as a homeowner, you get a steady supply of 384W at any given time when using the IQ 5P.
In addition, the BESS peaks at 7.68kVA for three seconds. It has enough surge power to help with peak shaving, especially if electricity consumption is higher than average. It can easily handle spike loads without blowing circuits or discharging the battery, depending on its state of charge.
But is this enough? After all, a standard electric meter installed by a utility company supplies 9.2kVA/920W of power for household use.
The truth is, you may end up consuming 920W of power only if all your appliances and gadgets are in use all day, along with lights, air conditioners, and fans. But an average household does not consume that much electricity at once.
Although substantially lower than the utility service providers, 3.84kVA is still enough to power an average Australian home that consumes 20kWh daily.
You certainly don’t have to worry about this solar battery being insufficient. In any case, you can connect two or more batteries to beef up the capacity from 5kW to 10kW or more.
Thanks to the six micro inverters, you never have to worry about total grid failure. Even if one of the microinverters fails because of the solar panel it is connected to, the others will continue to function. You can also swap a faulty IQ8 for a new one if needed without having to replace or upgrade the battery.
The AC coupling is another failsafe included in the battery energy storage system. That unmatched reliability is hard to get with other products and other brands. AC coupling also allows for ease and flexibility of installation. You can retrofit the IQ 5P to a pre-existing solar arrangement without having to rewire it. If you are grid-tied, the AC coupling gives you the leeway to charge your battery from the grid. This means you always have a backup, whether it’s from your utility provider or your own solar array.
For first-time residential solar users, this is an excellent reason to invest in the Enphase IQ Battery 5P.
The new model provides an AC roundtrip efficiency of 90%. Granted, it’s a bit less than the DC-coupled configuration (96%), but you still have a powerhouse performer. This level of roundtrip efficiency is the industry standard, and the Enphase model passes with flying colors.
It uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries with high energy density and charge very quickly. So the Enphase IQ Battery 5P has a high storage capacity and is equipped to provide consistent performance.
To conclude, the Enphase IQ 5P BESS helps right-size your residential power consumption and ensures you’re judicious with its use.
Enphase IQ Battery 5P: Technical Specifications
Here’s what the IQ 5P model offers in terms of its configuration, build, and utility.
-
ModelIQBATTERY-5P-1P-ROW
-
Dimensions980 mm x 580 mm x 188 mm
-
Weight66.3 kg (lifting)
-
Battery ConfigurationAC coupled
-
Battery ChemistryLithium Iron Phosphate
-
Total Usable Capacity5.0kWh
-
Continuous Power3.84 kW
-
Peak Power7.68 kW for 3 seconds
-
Roundtrip Efficiency90% (when AC coupled)
-
MountingWall/pedestal mounted
Should You Go For the Enphase IQ Battery 5P?
The brand new IQ Battery 5P has impressive features, but that is expected of any Enphase product. Do these features make this new product formidable? Let’s find out.
Performance
The IQ 5P battery is built for performance. It is not just a battery but a holistic ecosystem comprising a BESS and battery management system. Built on a distributed architecture platform, this model provides optimal on-site power consumption to help you maximize your solar investment.
Its Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries function seamlessly even under extreme conditions, providing reliable performance at all times. On the whole, it is low maintenance and long-lasting, and you can count on dependable performance for years to come.
It is easy to remotely monitor your BESS through the Enphase App and Enphase Installer Platform. You configure your BESS for backup or self-consumption, depending on your immediate requirement. There’s also an option to enable both to maximize the performance of the Enphase IQ Battery 5P.
Enphase also has a Storm GuardTM feature that tracks real-time data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and auto charges the BESS for weather emergencies. So the IQ 5P battery has your back even through unpredictable weather or unprecedented grid failure.
All these features, combined with a 90% roundtrip efficiency, make this BESS one of the most high-performing models from a brand that is known for top-notch products.
Compatibility
The BESS also offers exceptional versatility and can be retrofitted with any existing solar panel system because of its AC coupling.
The IQD8-BAT microinverters are Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP)-compliant and can be paired with many commonly available solar panels.
It is fully compatible with any other Enphase IQ series BESS and S Series microinverters. However, you will need an additional Enphase IQ System Controller 3 INT if you’re a grid-tied user or want to use the BESS for backup.
Scalability
Because it’s built on a distributed architecture platform, you have all the freedom to scale your Enphase IQ 5P BESS. Combine as many BESS units as you want to increase the overall usable storage capacity as your energy needs grow with time.
Ease of Installation
At only 66.3 kg lifting weight, the Enphase IQ Battery 5P can be easily mounted and dismounted by two people. It does not require additional mechanical support for installation or servicing. The BESS also comes with lifting handles on either side for hassle-free handling.
Enphase offers a System Planner that installers can use to configure the BESS based on contributing factors, like the size of your home, its location, power consumption, etc.
Safety and Security
These cobalt-free batteries minimize the risk of thermal runaway fires and lithium build-up. This model is exceptionally safe and secure to use.
It is also AS IEC 62040.1, EN IEC 62109-1, EN IEC 62109-2, AS IEC 62619, UN 38.3, EMC: EN 50065-2-2, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3, IEC 61000-4-2, IEC 61000-4-3, IEC 61000-4-4, IEC 61000-4-5, IEC 61000-4-11, and IEC 61000-6-2 compliant.
Warranty
Enphase offers a limited guarantee of up to 15 years or 6,000 cycles of use. This is the industry’s best at present, with very few companies offering more than 15 years of warranties for their products. Most only provide five to eight year guarantees for their solar components and energy storage devices.
You can expect your Enphase IQ 5P BESS to still have a roundtrip efficiency of roughly 70% after 15 years. You will continue reaping benefits from this setup even when it is not functioning optimally.
The Verdict
Is the Enphase IQ Battery 5P worth the investment?
Enphase has built a feature-rich, versatile, and durable battery energy storage system keeping Australian household requirements in mind. This is a bespoke model that’s attuned to the needs specific to the country. Currently, the brand is performing trials with select installers to review the product for enhanced functionality and productivity.
There’s no doubt that the IQ Battery 5P is going to deliver on its promise when it hits the market and help Australian homeowners make the most of their solar investment. This technology can take your solar setup to the next level and provide you with all your energy needs for years to come.
Although Enphase is yet to reveal the starting price of this model, our preliminary review suggests the IQ Battery 5P will be a worthy investment.
Authored by Ryan Douglas
NRG Clean Power's resident writer and solar enthusiast, Ryan Douglas covers all things related to the clean energy industry.
Sources:
https://enphase.com/installers/storage
–
–
https://smartenergyexpo.org.au/exhibitors/enphase-energy-australia-pty-ltd/
–
https://aurorasolar.com/blog/how-solar-energy-storage-works/
–
https://www.energuide.be/en/questions-answers/how-much-electrical-power-do-i-need-for-my-home/1855/
–
https://ratedpower.com/blog/ac-vs-dc-coupled-bess/
–
https://www.idealenergysolar.com/peak-shaving-solar-storage/
–
https://blog.ecoflow.com/us/benefits-of-lithium-iron-phosphate-batteries/
